SAIC Maxus releases T60 petrol version at Guangzhou exhibition

November 18, 2017

Maxus of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group), or SAIC Maxus, officially launched the Pickup T60 Petrol Version at the 15th Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition which was held from Nov 17 to 26.

The Pickup T60 Petrol Version boasts advanced technology, international five-star security, a comfortable driving experience and infinite intelligent interconnection. It provides 2.4L and 2.0T power options whose prices are between 83,800 to 121,800 yuan ($12,682 to 18,434) and 130,800 to 213,800 yuan.

In China’s pickup market, petrol versions accounts for 30 percent of total market share. Clients in northern China especially prefer petrol versions for environmental reasons. The T60 petrol version of SAIC Maxus was launched in time to meet customers’ different demands.

The T60 Petrol Version provides 2.0T and 2.4L power options. The 2.0T engine adopts three advanced technologies­ – turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing. The new car has a better noise vibration and harshness (NVH) effect, fuel efficiency and reliability, thanks to the NVH design, a hollow sodium filling valve and an intelligent thermal management system. The engine has the advantage of slow-speed high-torque with a maximum torque of 360Nm and a rated power of 165 kilowatts. The naturally aspirated engine of the 2.4L type has a maximum torque of 200Nm and a maximum power of 100kW, and can support dual fuels that can change oil to gas according to local conditions.

In addition, the configuration of the T60 Petrol Version has been upgraded. It is the first car model in China to employ an electronic power steering (EPS) system which makes steering lighter and more accurate, and can save oil by about 3 percent and lower maintenance costs. The 2.0T type is the first China-made pickup equipped with a skylight which makes the car more suitable for home use. The T60 Petrol Version is also the first model in China whose system adopts intelligent start-stop technology which can cut down fuel consumption by 3.5 percent and reduce carbon emissions. The 2.0T model is also equipped with an ESP vehicle stability control system to provide better safety.

SAIC Maxus has popular vehicles in various models

Through six years’ development, SAIC Maxus has achieved a compound annual growth rate of 80 percent. Its products cover MPV, SUV, recreational vehicles, light passenger coaches, pickups and new energy vehicles, which have all been well received in the market.

In October, monthly sales of the SAIC Maxus exceeded 8,000 for the first time and reached 8,068, a year-on-year growth of 92 percent. In the first 10 months of this year, the accumulative sales were 53,556, a year-on-year increase of 44 percent. Of those, 46,688 were sold in domestic markets.

Overseas markets purchased 6,868 vehicles, which accounted for 13 percent of total sales. SAIC Maxus has increasing overseas sales, especially in Australia and New Zealand where 3,183 vehicles were exported, accounting for 46 percent of total sales. At the same time, SAIC Maxus is the Chinese vehicle brand that ranks first in Australia in terms of sales and market share. Its market share in New Zealand also exceeds 20 percent.

The Pickup T60 of SAIC Maxus has been well received by customers at home and abroad. It was rated with a five-star safety standard in the new car safety evaluation in Australia, the highest rating ever achieved by a Chinese vehicle. Monthly sales of the T60 Diesel Version have remained over 1,000 since it was launched in April. It is also the first pickup in China that sold more than 1,000 in its launch month. In October, the monthly sales volume was 1,472, making accumulative sales reach 8,334. Since it came onto markets in Chile, Australia and New Zealand in July, orders for 2,500 cars have been placed. Thanks to the popularity of T60, the sales volume of SAIC Maxus vehicles made an 11-fold year-on-year increase in Chile.

With outstanding performance and quality, the Light Bus V80 of SAIC Maxus is popular among national governments and was designated as the official vehicle in State affairs, such as ther BRICS summit, the G20 summit and the military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army. More than 100 V80 cars were sold on Double Eleven Day, the online shopping festival which falls on Nov 11. In October, the sales volume of V80 cars was 3,229, a year-on-year increase of 26 percent, making the accumulative sales from January to October reach 22,193.

Another model that was also often used in State affairs is the G10. It was designated as the official car in the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, the Youth Olympic Games and the BRICS summit. SAIC Maxus also signed an agreement on Nov 11 with online car-hailing platform Bang Bang Xing, which will buy 1,000 G10 Plus Version cars from Maxus. Equipped with an intelligent and interconnected system, users can control the G10 Plus remotely through an app on their smart phones and make online payment and online connections. In October, as many as 2,596 G10 cars were sold, a year-on-year increase of 58 percent. Accumulative sales from January to October were 21,454, an increase of 47 percent year-on-year.

The model D90 of SAIC Maxus is the first C2B intelligent customized full-size SUV in China and also the first vehicle in the world to be designed and produced with the participation of customers. The D90 has gained recognitions because of its advantages in driving safety, intelligent interconnection, general SUV performance, large interior space and smart customization. Since it was launched in August, 1,575 D90s have been sold and another 3,300 have been ordered.

SAIC Maxus provides a complete range of recreational vehicles (RVs), from RV80 B and C versions to camp trailer RT11. The RV80 C version that was shown at the 15th Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition has been upgraded to meet customer demands in in terms of smart technology and personalized design. An online service platform was also set up where people can rent cars, book campgrounds, look for travel information and share their RVs. The market share of the RV keeps increasing and that of the RV80 B version is 32 percent and of the RV 80 C version is 21 percent.

The launch of the T60 Petrol Version and light passenger coach FCV80 gives SAIC Maxus a more complete product range to meet the diverse customer needs. The company will keep producing competitive products, enrich product categories, create new business models and promote brand development in line with SAIC Group’s development belief in electricity, internet interconnection, intelligence and sharing.